House Restoration in Kastelorizo

Creative reuse

The project involves the restoration of a deteriorated traditional residence in the settlement of Kastelorizo, which has suffered significant damage, primarily from WWII bombings. The masonry foundations were the only elements that were preserved.

Building Restoration

Based on the footprint of the original floor plan as well as old photographs taken before the settlement’s destruction, the building was restored to its original architectural volume. The refurbishment also included the resurgence of previous typological features of the façade, such as the design of the openings, the roof structure, and the exterior facade. Due to the lack of sufficient original elements, the internal configuration was adapted to serve the needs of its new use as a modern holiday home. The house is developed in three levels, with a total area of 100 m2 on a plot of 105m2.

Layout Configuration

The ground floor features a kitchen that leads directly into a courtyard, which includes an outdoor sitting area, storage space, and a wc. Both the mezzanine and first floor contain a bedroom with a private bathroom, offering panoramic views of the settlement. The holistic design approach, encompassing both fixed and mobile equipment, is set against a neutral white canvas. This design incorporates elements made from recycled materials, clearly referencing traditional furnishing patterns.

Reuse Initiative

Visitors experience a “primitive” lifestyle, highlighting the issues of overproduction and the need for reuse in an age of rapid development. This project represents the first conceptual and experimental interior design work by artist-designer Savvas Laz.

Using the “Trashformers” method -a creative, multi-level process characterized by uniqueness and manual practice- the project includes stages of collection, composition, sculpture, and finishing. The process begins with selecting pieces of expanded polystyrene packaging collected from garbage bins found in the streets of Athens. These pieces are then assembled into a collage and coated with fiberglass and resin. Alongside these compositions, architectural elements are constructed from brick, concrete, or metal, maintaining the “Trashformers” aesthetic. This approach harmoniously balances tradition with the reuse and recycling of new materials and old motifs.